The Flipped Learning Global Initiative is an international collaboration of educators and researchers committed to flipped learning. This site offers online webinars along with archives of previous webinars for professional development. Be sure to check out the Flipped Learning Technology Selection located in the Training section to enroll in a free one-hour course outlining the mistakes to avoid with flipped learning. The community portion of the site includes a forum for interacting with educators from around the world to discuss flipped learning. The archived webinars reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

If you are considering flipping your classroom or have begun using this technique, bookmark this site as a resource for professional learning and collaboration. View webinars with your peers as you learn how to flip a classroom together. Have questions? Share your thoughts and ideas on the community forum to get answers from educators experienced in flipping their classroom.

Bring robotics into your classroom using these fabulous tools and resources. Learn about National Robotics Month, celebrated in April. Use these resources for STEM or Makerspace activities. Find resources for all grade levels.

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional development session from May 2017, opens in Adobe Connect. Engage students and deepen content area knowledge using instructional imagery. Deliver instruction in a compelling way and transform your classroom activities by learning how to use Adobe Spark, an integrated suite of FREE storytelling applications. Learn to use Adobe Spark, Post, and Page for classroom projects and personal productivity. Select images and make minor edits to bring additional context to content area instruction for your students. Brainstorm with others how you and your students can use Adobe Spark in your classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels. As a result of this session teachers will: 1. Learn basic use of the Adobe Spark tools; 2. Explore three different ways to use Adobe Spark in the classroom; and 3. Plan for the use of Adobe Spark in the classroom.

In the Classroom

The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.

Create forms for virtually any need using Google Forms, part of Google's online suite of document tools. Begin with included templates, or start with a blank form to create polls, sign-ups, registrations, and much more. Choose from multiple response options including short answer, multiple choice, and check boxes. Options also allow users to incorporate images and YouTube videos directly into any form. You have the ability to make questions required or optional. Once shared, receive responses in real-time within the "Responses" tab or link to a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the flexibility of Google Forms to create surveys for parents and students at the beginning of the year to learn about student interests, create parent volunteer lists, and much more. Create sign in and sign out sheets for classroom library materials including books and digital equipment. Use Google Forms to set up and collaborate on lesson plans, include check boxes to standards, materials needed, and covered content. Google Forms is perfect to use for assessment purposes - create online quizzes and exit tickets. Have students use Google Forms to prepare and submit reading logs, brainstorm and collaborate with fellow students, create choose your own adventure stories, or schedule reading and writing conference times. Use Google Forms to set up and share rubrics for any project, have students complete the rubric and turn in with any completed assignment. The uses for Google Forms are as unlimited as your imagination; this is a must-have tool for all classrooms!

SciJinks offers informative articles and games geared toward middle school students as they learn about weather, satellite meteorology, and Earth science. Use the list on the left side of the page to choose from topics, answers, find games, learn about people, and much more. Select the Topics section to find many ideas for use in science classrooms including content aligned to Next Generation Science Standards.

In the Classroom

Although geared toward middle school students and educators, anyone who teaches weather will want to take the time to explore this site for student and teacher resources. Use the educators section to find activities, science fair ideas, and content aligned to standards. Share the people portion of the site during your career exploration activities. Share a link to games and activities on classroom computers and your class website. Upon completing activities, have students create an online or printed comic about an element of weather, climate, meteorology, or any aspect of Earth science. Use a tool such as Printable Comic Strip Templates, reviewed here, for a nontech rough and final draft. If you're new to using technology with your students, or teach younger students you may want to use Comic Creator, reviewed here, for their final drafts. For more experienced, older students try Write Comics, reviewed here.

Wildfinder is an interactive tool to find and learn about the thousands of species of animals located around the earth. Currently, the site contains information on mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds with plans to expand to all species. Begin your search by choosing species or a place. Once the map loads, use the search bar or select an area to start. Additional options allow users to personalize the look of the map with transparency levels, eco-themes, and more. Species descriptions include images and information about the location and animal described.

In the Classroom

Wildfinder is a must-add bookmark for all classroom computers. Allow students to explore on their own to learn about animals and locations of their choosing and add information for what they learned on an online bulletin board using Padlet, reviewed here. When ready, challenge students to create a simple poster or web page sharing their findings using Webnode, reviewed here, or for a different project, try Sway, reviewed here, to create a newsletter or brochure. Pull up Wildfinder on your interactive whiteboard when discussing any location to learn about native animals. Share a link on your class web page for students to explore at home. If your class library doesn't include enough books about animals, Wildfinder is an excellent option for facts and information!

This CNN interactive takes an in-depth look at vanishing species around the globe along with the reasons for their disappearance. Scroll through to discover how humans are causing species to go extinct at a rate 100 times faster than normal. Watch videos as scientists describe physical changes occuring on the earth's surface, view interactives demonstrating animal habitat changes, and more.

In the Classroom

This site is perfect for use on interactive whiteboards as an introduction to any unit on animals, habitats, or earth conservation. Explore together, then allow students to explore in depth on their own. Have students either individually or as groups choose a topic found on this site to research further. If you are new to integrating technology you may want to have students create a presentation using Slidestory, reviewed here. Looking for something different? Have students use Microsoft Sway, reviewed here, to create an interactive presentation including charts, videos, and images.

Get Your Hands Dirty is a guide to growing plants and keeping animals at school. Download this packet for specific information on enhancing learning opportunities through the nurturing of growing things. Also, this guide provides tips and directions for getting started in many different situations including those with little or no land. The site was created in the UK, so some of the pronunciations and spellings may differ from those in American English.

In the Classroom

Download this guide as a resource for starting "growing" opportunities at school, or for suggestions on keeping animals in the classroom. If your school has a gardening club, this guide is perfect as a resource for new ideas. If you don't have a gardening club, use the guide as a starting point. Perhaps find a parent volunteer to get your club going!

Discover science while enjoying the beach and the outdoors with Beach Chair Scientist's blog. Read the latest posts on the site's homepage featuring titles such as "Seven silly science sea words." To find specific topics, scroll down the page to find links to archives and categories including Citizen Science and Environmental Education.

In the Classroom

Share this site with students as part of your study of biomes or the ocean. Have students create online posters individually or together as a class using a tool such as Genial.ly, reviewed here, or for those new to integrating tecnology try PicFont, reviewed here, to share information about ocean animals or conservation of the oceans. Be sure to check out the Resources & More section for lesson plans and links to other resources about the ocean.

Collect data about plants, learn about climate change, and participate by posting your findings for both with Project Budburst. Join Project Budburst and become part of a community of citizen scientists! Record the observations of first leafing, first flower, etc. (especially for native plant species), and have them reported to a national database. Under the education tab at the top find a grade level (K-12, Informal Education, Higher Education, Buddies, and more). For K-12 there are lists for National Science Education Standards (NSES) and Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics. Under each level find helpful guides for using the site, supplemental activities, and videos. There is no need to register to enjoy these features. However, registration allows for reporting data and becoming a citizen scientist. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Bring your science class to life and the "real world" for students using Project BudBurst's free resources. Captivate student interest by having them discover the importance of nature and our interactions with it. Participants must be 13 years of age to set up an account. Be sure to click the "I am an Educator" option to facilitate the participation of younger students, by creating a teacher account. Younger students do not require an email or personal information this way. Add to the growing database and document plant phenology as seen in your area. As you discuss various types of plants, assign students to take pictures of the stages observed, make observations about the stages, and create an infographic sharing their findings using Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here.

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional development session from May 2017, opens in Adobe Connect. Learn how to make interactive lessons and activities with ease using the drawing tools and sharing ability of Google Draw. Learn how to navigate through Google Draw to make engaging lessons, interactive graphic organizers, exciting assignments and much more. With the amazing sharing abilities within Google, it is easy to share information with students and colleagues and work toward a more paperless classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels. As a result of this session teachers will: 1. Learn the basics of creating in Google Draw; 2. Explore examples of ways to integrate Google Draw into the classroom; 3. Create a Google Drawing that you can use; and 4. Plan for the use of Google Draw in the classroom.

In the Classroom

The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.

Makerspaces is a resource created to help schools and libraries learn about, build, and run makerspaces. Choose the Maker Projects link to find many project ideas including tutorials that incorporate tools such as 3D printers and circuits. Download a free ebook with over 250 resources for any makerspace program. Find out what others are doing with makerspaces by choosing the Makerspace tab, this includes tweets from makerspace users, project ideas, and a showcase of makerspaces in action. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the many ideas and tutorials found on this site when creating a makerspace in your classroom or school. Collaborate with peers to create different makerspaces within your classroom communities. Ask parent volunteers to help teach students about circuits and other technology used in your makerspace.

Paper Circuits for Makerspaces provides many tutorials and ideas for creating paper circuits for teaching electricity and circuits. Scroll through the page to find many examples of paper circuits created in classrooms and complete tutorials. Also included on this page is a linked list of resources for buying materials needed to make circuits. Be sure to click on the ebook link for a free download with over 250 resources for your makerspace program. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Paper Circuits for MakerSpaces is perfect for use with an after-school science program or as a resource for science fair projects. Create a center throughout the school year for students to work on circuits and build skills at an individual level. If you don't feel comfortable working on this topic, find a parent volunteer to help, or partner with another classroom to work together. Need funding to buy materials? See GetEdFunding, reviewed here, to write for a small grant.

The Math and Science Concept Map is an interactive, customizable concept map demonstrating the interrelationships between math and science concepts. Choose or search for an idea to open up the map. Expand the map further by clicking on an item. Learn more about individual terms by selecting a "details" box; those link to videos and reading materials providing further information. You may want to view the explanatory video before exploring the concept map to get an overall understanding of this map and how it works. In order to explore all the features for this concept map, it is best to use the FireFox browser. The explanatory video resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable. You could always view the video at home and bring it to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the video from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Display the concept map on an interactive whiteboard, or with a projector, and explore the complex interactions between math and science together. Focus on one specific topic, such as population growth patterns to find sub-topics for further exploration. Have students choose a topic for further research then present their findings using a tool like Zoho Show, reviewed here, which is similar to Powerpoint, but easier and free. This site is perfect for use with gifted students to find and learn more about specific math and science content.

Your challenge at the Wind Energy Virtual Lab is to build a high efficiency, low-cost turbine supplying energy to 400 homes. Follow the steps to choose the appropriate location, design, and material for your turbine and view the results. When finished, the lab displays up to three design attempts for comparison of outputs. Be sure to download the Teacher's Guide including explanations of the different lab components and ideas for classroom use.

In the Classroom

Share the Wind Energy Virtual Lab on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector. Then let students explore and design turbines on their own. Ask them to take a screen shot of three designs and compare the results. Have them discuss their findings on a podcast using a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Easel.ly, reviewed here.

World of 7 Billion provides a broad variety of resources and information for teaching about world population. Discover the ever changing world and United State's current population count near the top of each page. Explore the Teachers Resources for activities to use with middle and high school students. Encourage students to participate in the annual video challenge contest sponsored by the site highlighting different global challenges with prizes up to $1,000.

In the Classroom

Encourage students to take part in World of 7 Billion's annual video contest. Benefit from the free lessons for middle and high school students as well as the ideas for school-wide events. Provide time for students to browse through the site and to generate questions about it. Brainstorm not only questions but what students learned from it. Allow groups time to research the economic and social issues that have caused such a change in population and how people live. Challenge students to create a presentation with their findings using Prezi, reviewed here. Have students use a mapping tool such as Zeemaps, reviewed here, to create a map of population changes around the world (with audio stories and pictures included)!

Welcome to the Microsoft Educator Community! This extensive network of educators is the place to find lessons, collaborate with fellow teachers, and earn badges and certificates through training courses. Register for virtual field trips from across the globe with exciting partners such as an elephant sanctuary or climbers hiking up Mount Everest. Sign into your account to add lessons as favorites or upload your lessons to share with the community.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the many resources on the site for use in your classroom and to share with peers. Find partners for Skype lessons, participate in virtual field trips, and download lessons for use. Watch tutorials to learn how to use Microsoft Tools such as OneNote, Sway, and others with your students. Enroll in the online courses for personal learning in many topics or share with others in your building and learn together. Earn badges and points and become a Microsoft Innovative Educator. Include all courses as part of any professional development plan.

Learn all about The Great Fire of London that took place in 1666 through gameplay, a Minecraft experience, and an extensive website explaining events from several different perspectives. The game unfolds through six chapters beginning with the fire through the last day and the beginning of rebuilding. The Minecraft experience offers players the ability to enter maps as they dig deeper into the experience of The Great Fire. Explore the website's interactive timeline to understand the unfurling of events while clicking on icons to learn more about specific circumstances and documents of the time. The site was created in the UK, so some of the pronunciations and spellings may differ from those in American English.

In the Classroom

This site is perfect for use on an interactive whiteboard (or with a projector) to understand the background and impact of the Great Fire of London as well as what life was like in 1666. Include this as part of any study of this period of time in Europe. Share this site during fire prevention week as an example of how society has learned about the dangers of fire and adapted building safety throughout time. Allow students to explore the site independently or in small groups, then compare and contrast life in London then to modern life. Have students create a multimedia presentation using Voicethread, reviewed here, to share their findings. This site allows users to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report.

Decoding Cancer brings cancer research to the high school classroom. The site includes many standards-based interactive lessons applying knowledge in genetics, pathology, and more. Find a Cancer Treatment Virtual Lab for students to learn how to order tests and treatments for cancer patients. Decoding Cancer also features career profiles introducing students to health-care professions and an extensive glossary featuring doctor and scientist's terminology.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the free lesson plans (provided in PowerPoint format) and interactives for use when teaching genetics, health, or biology lessons. Be sure to share this site with students interested in medical careers and gifted learners. After learning about cancer, have students create a multimedia presentation using Voicethread, reviewed here, to share their findings on cancer treatments and research. Voicethread allows you to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. Sign up for Decoding Cancer to receive updates and notification of new site additions.

Infographic Portal offers an extensive collection of infographics sub-divided into several categories. In addition to viewing infographics on the site, under Infographic Designers, see design tips, and then submit original designs for inclusion on the site. Choose categories from topics listed at the top of the website with an orange background. Infographics in the education section include titles such as Verb Grammar Rules: Your Complete Handbook and A Typical School Week Around the World. Be sure to review the site before sharing with students, some images may not be suitable for all ages or school-appropriate.

In the Classroom

Click on any infographic link to see it in full along with additional information including the image source and a link to download and save to your computer. Take advantage of the infographics on this site for both classroom use and professional development. Introduce a topic by sharing the Infographic and allowing time for students (or peers) to identify various items they notice about the chart. Allow students the chance to think-pair-share and list questions for further understanding. Choose a new infographic each week to share on your classroom website. Make curriculum content more real with infographics students can relate to. Consider creating Infographics of material students are learning in class for better understanding and connection with other topics and the world around them. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Piktochart, reviewed here.